Tuesday, September 02, 2014

More than 1000 youths took part in #PLAYPINOY tournament, with a film launched to celebrate the unique spirit and style of Pinoy basketball

August 30, 2014, Manila - Nike’s fast-paced and unconventional 5-on-5 basketball tournament for Pinoy youths, #PLAYPINOY, has crowned its first-ever champions today. The final of the #PLAYPINOY tournament was held at the Doña Imelda Covered Court, Bgy. Doña Imelda in Quezon City.

Manila youths between the ages of15 and18 were invited to join the preliminary round held in courts around Makati, Manila, Pasig, Quezon City, Taguig, Parańaque, San Juan and Marikina City on August 16 and 17 to play for #PLAYPINOYglory. Eventually, 48 out of 148 teams qualified for the finals of the first-ever Nike #PLAYPINOY tournament.

After a day of playing through the quarter-finals, and semi-finals, Team Amazing Playground emerged and claimed the right to become champions of the court as the first event #PLAYPINOY winners. Amazing Playground–from Manila,, Paranaque, Alabang, and Antipolo respectively. comprised of five boys – William Navarro, Francis Giusani, Joaquin Mariano, Sam Heidelburg, Jerome Ejercito, and Franz Abuda

“Our victory is the result of excellent team chemistry and communication. We are so happy to have won this tournament. We had a lot of fun and played our hearts out as it was a tournament like no other since it is based on the Pinoy way of playing basketball!” said team captain Francis Giusani “This is really a celebration of our unique Pinoy basketball!”

The event was hosted by popular sports media personalities Aaron Atayde and Cheska Litton with DJ Ace Ramos and MC Pao adding color and excitement to the festive event. PBA Legend and San Mig Coffee Mixers Team Manager, Alvin Patrimonio, and De La Salle Green Archer JeronTeng awarded and celebrated with the participants and winners (Appendix A).

“#PLAYPINOY is a platform for every Filipino, man or woman, young or old, to express their Pinoy identity through basketball, the sport they love passionately. It honors the Pinoy fighting spirit, the sheer determination, passion and ingenuity towards the game. #PLAYPINOY pays respect to the unique style of Pinoy basketball play “said Courtney Cole-Faso, Country Marketing Manager for Nike Philippines. “It is a call to all Pinoys to get out onto the streets, and play their game, their way, the way only Pinoys can.”

Participants and spectators were also the first in the world to view #PLAYPINOY film, a 90-second film created by Nike that pays homage to Pinoy basketball featuring national hero Manny Pacquiao, basketball legend Alvin Patrimonio, and up-and-coming stars Kiefer Ravena and Jeron Teng, who represent the essence of Pinoy basketball and what makes all Pinoys proud of their game.

This is a film that mirrors and pays homage to Pinoy Basketball, from the streets to the courts to the makeshift hoops hanging off every pole and wall around the country. Philippines is a country where basketball knows no boundaries with a population that have continuously demonstrated how they never back down despite all the adversities and challenges nature and life poses on them. It is inspirational, featuring national hero Manny Pacquiao, Philippines basketball legend Alvin Patrimonio, and up-and-coming stars Kiefer Ravena & Jeron Teng. The film represents and celebrates the essence of Pinoy Basketball.

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APPENDIX A: List of #PLAYPINOY participants

Champion:

Amazing Playground

Team members

William Raniel B. Navarro

Sam Heidelburg

Francis Gabriel B. Giusani

Joaquin Mariano

Marcus Jerome R, Ejercito

Franz Jonathan R. Abuda

Runner-up:

FEU Yellow

Team members

HaspeeLheynar A. Altiche

David Miguel Completo

Julius David Jr.

Aaron Nathaniel Torres

Pierce Tyron Chan

Most Valuable Player

Sam Heidelburg

About NIKE, Inc.

NIKE, Inc. based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly-owned NIKE subsidiaries include Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories and Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes surf and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories. For more information, visit www.nikeinc.com